A Study on the Repellent Efficacy of Essential Oils Against Forcipomyia Taiwana

Abstract

The majority of commercially available mosquito repellents contains N, N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide compound (DETT). The long term uses of DETT have a negative influence on the nervous and *immune systems. Therefore, the development of mosquito repellents that are DETT-free is important. In this study, essential oils of lavandula angustifolia, Melaleuca Alternifolia, Mentha piperita, Eucalyptus globules, and Eucalyptus citriodora are evaluated in terms of the repellent efficacy against F. taiwana by using a Y-tube olfactometer test. Their repellent efficacy is then compared. The combination of 200 μl lavandula angustifolia and Eucalyptus citriodora attains a repellent efficacy of 70% and 65%, respectively. Conversely, using Melaleuca Alternifolia, Mentha piperita, and Eucalyptus globules does not result in any significant repellence against F. taiwana, which may be ascribed to the high concentration. When 1μl of these essential oils are added, they have a repellent efficacy of 61-65%. The repellent efficacy of different essential oils is ranked as Eucalyptus globules>Mentha piperita = Melaleuca Alternifolia> lavandula angustifolia> Eucalyptus citriodora.